Health centers maintain rates

JAKARTA (JP): Community health centers (Puskesmas) in the city have announced that they will not raise their tariffs so that people, especially the poor, continue to get cheap medical treatment, a city councilor said yesterday.

Councilor Nitra Arsyad of Commission E for welfare affairs told The Jakarta Post that all 322 health centers in the city had pledged to give the best service they could.

"In this troubled time a rise in medicine prices and health fees in most private and public hospitals is inevitable. But the people must have the option of getting reasonable health treatment.

"Puskesmas may seem inferior compared to hospitals. But actually, if their performance and services were improved more people would visit them," he said.

After visiting several of the health centers in the city's five mayoralties, Nitra said most catered for over-night treatment.

"So people can be treated properly. They don't have to go to the hospital if their illness is not too serious."

The average treatment fee at a community health center is Rp 3,000 per person, medicine included. (edt)